The moment I received this Golden Feather Crane gear, I knew this shoot would be an absolute physical workout. Marking Onmyoji's 10th anniversary with an Aunt cosplay genuinely fulfills a long-cherished dream as a veteran player—after all, which Onmyoji player wasn't raised under her protective wing back in the day?
The shoot took place in Meizhou, where the set design mirrored the traditional Japanese courtyard I had always envisioned. Wooden sliding shoji doors paired with tatami mats, a massive red-and-white floral folding screen in the background, and paper lanterns emitting a warm yellow glow set the scene. To convey her avian lightness and divine presence, I invested heavily in pose design. Many of the suspended or reclining poses seen in the photos demanded intense core strength. With layers of gold ornaments and cascading feathers, the slightest movement risked tangling or shifting parts, meaning aligning the curves of the skirt and cape took immense time alone.
Speaking of the gear, huge credit goes to Han Yan. The golden winged armor and intricate feather patchwork were impeccably crafted. The headpiece—featuring a red sphere flanked by black plumage paired with a silver-white wig—instantly brought forth her commanding aura the moment it was donned. For makeup, I accentuated a reddish-orange blend around the outer eye corners atop a porcelain base, aiming to balance sacred majesty with an alluring touch of yokai mystique.
Photographer He Shu was exceptionally skilled and patient. To capture dynamic moments, we experimented with diverse camera angles—low-angle shots looking upward to convey the character's avian grandeur, alongside high-angle and reclining perspectives designed to display the lavish spread of the costume and tiered hemline. Numerous wagasa umbrellas and faux cherry blossom branches were scattered across the set; combined with golden particle rim lighting and fluttering petals, the dreamy ambiance was dialed up to eleven.
Given the 10th anniversary milestone, shooting kept me reflecting on the journey shared with this game. Transitioning from a clueless novice to someone dedicating full effort to cosplaying a beloved character is a journey that amazes even myself. Portraying this role was not just visual fidelity, but a homage to bygone days. Every seiza kneeling pose or sleeve sweep brought classic in-game memories rushing back.
Wrapping the entire shoot left my body exhausted with feathers scattered across the floor, yet seeing the final images washed all the fatigue away instantly. Profound gratitude to He Shu's lens for capturing these frames, Han Yan for crafting the gorgeous gear, and this incredible venue in Meizhou. Creating this set during such a milestone year holds immense significance for me.